Conveyor belt slat with side carrier connection

ABSTRACT

A conveyor belt includes a conveyor belt slat that is coupled to a side carrier by a locking connection between the slat and the carrier at least along the side edges of the conveyor belt slat.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure is generally directed to conveyor belts, and is morespecifically directed to a conveyor belt including a conveyor belt slatthat is coupled to a side carrier along side edges of the conveyor beltslat.

BACKGROUND

In the food preparation industry often food items are prepared, at leastpartially, by placing the food items on a conveyor belt that transportsthe food items into a food preparation device, such as a toaster. Suchtoasters include a heated platen and a slowly rotating conveyor belt.The conveyor belt holds the food item in close proximity to the platenwhile the conveyor belt simultaneously transports the food item throughthe preparation device. The length of time the food item is exposed tothe heated platen may vary based on the length of the platen and thespeed of the conveyor belt. Such toasters may process food itemscontinuously as opposed to household toasters that process food items inbatch mode, such as two or four pieces of bread at a time. Conveyortoasters are ill-suited for consumer use because of their size,manufacturing cost, power requirements, and the time required topre-heat the platen to operating temperature. However, conveyor toastersare preferred by restaurants and food services that require high-volumethrough-put and consistent heating/toasting.

Conveyor toasters generally include a wire conveyor belt. Wire conveyorbelts are ideal for material handling, cooking, icing, slicing breading,cooling, filling, inspecting, and packing of products like breads,rolls, buns, donuts, confections, cakes, pies, pastries, meat, seafood,poultry, and other processed foods. The simple, open design of wireconveyor belts provides efficient operation with minimum maintenance andeasy cleanup to meet sanitation requirements. The wire conveyor belt mayinclude a plurality of spaced metal rods interconnected by coupling“hook” and “loop” connection elements formed at the rod ends of adjacentmetal rods. The rods may support a food item and the rods may hold thecomponents of the belt together by way of the interconnected hook andloop connection elements.

One known conveyor belt, for example, is the wire conveyor beltdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,987,972, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety. The wire conveyor belt provides a flatsupport surface, but is relatively expensive to produce and iscumbersome to assemble and relatively difficult to repair or replace inthe field. The plates are attached to a first spaced rod at a first endand to a second spaced rod that is adjacent to the first spaced rod atthe second end.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one exemplary aspect, a conveyor belt includes aplurality of slats, at least one slat having a base for carrying anitem, the base having a first opposing end and a second opposing end,the first opposing end and the second opposing end being substantiallyparallel to the direction of conveyance travel of the conveyor belt. Atleast one side carrier is coupled to at least one of the first and thesecond opposing ends of the at least one slat by a coupling mechanism.

In accordance with another exemplary aspect, a conveyor belt includes aplurality of slats, at least one slat having a base for carrying anitem, the base having a first opposing end and a second opposing end,the first opposing end and the second opposing end being substantiallyparallel to the direction of conveyance travel of the conveyor belt. Atleast one side cable is coupled to at least one of the first and thesecond opposing ends of the at least one slat by a coupling mechanism.

In accordance with another exemplary aspect, a conveyor belt includes aplurality of slats, at least one slat having a base for carrying anitem, the base having a first opposing end and a second opposing end,the first opposing end and the second opposing end being substantiallyparallel to the direction of conveyance travel of the conveyor belt. Atleast one side timing belt is coupled to at least one of the first andthe second opposing ends of the at least one slat by a couplingmechanism.

In accordance with yet another exemplary aspect, a conveyor beltincludes a plurality of slats, at least one slat having a base forcarrying an item, the base having a first opposing end and a secondopposing end, the first opposing end and the second opposing end beingsubstantially parallel to the direction of conveyance travel of theconveyor belt.

At least one side timing chain is coupled to at least one of the firstand the second opposing ends of the at least one slat by a couplingmechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a conveyor beltassembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a top view of one slat of the conveyor belt assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the slat of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of a second embodiment of a conveyor beltassembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a side perspective view of a third embodiment of a conveyorbelt assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of thedisclosure.

FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the conveyor belt assembly of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of a fourth embodiment of a conveyor beltassembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a first slat and a second slat of the conveyorbelt assembly of FIG. 5, the first and second slats being woven togetherby a cable.

FIG. 7A is a partial plan view of a fifth embodiment of a conveyor beltassembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure

FIG. 7B is a front view f a slat of the conveyor belt assembly of FIG.7A.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a conveyor beltassembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure

FIG. 9 is a top view of a slat of the conveyor belt assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the slat of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a conveyor beltassembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a plurality of slats of the conveyor beltassembly of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a timing belt of the conveyor belt assembly ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an eighth embodiment of a conveyor beltassembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the conveyor belt assembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a side view of a plurality of slats of the conveyor beltassembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a conveyor beltassembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.

FIG. 18A is a side view of a slat of the conveyor belt assembly of FIG.17.

FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view of a belt of the conveyor beltassembly of FIG. 17.

FIG. 18C is a front view of an end of a slat of the conveyor beltassembly of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of a conveyor beltassembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of top and bottom belts of the conveyorbelt assembly of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of a conveyorbelt assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of thedisclosure.

FIG. 22 is a top view of a timing chain of the conveyor belt assembly ofFIG. 21.

FIG. 23A is a top view of the timing chain of FIG. 22 and a slat.

FIG. 23B is a close up top view of the timing chain and slat of FIG.23A.

FIG. 24 is a top view of two slats of a twelfth embodiment of a conveyorbelt assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of thedisclosure.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the slats of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a partial side view of the conveyor belt assembly of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a partial perspective view of the conveyor belt assembly ofFIG. 24.

FIG. 28 is a top view of two slats of a thirteenth embodiment of aconveyor belt assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 29 is an end perspective view of the two slats of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a side view of one of the slats of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a side view of the conveyor belt assembly of FIG. 28.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a fourteenth embodiment of a conveyorbelt assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of thedisclosure.

FIG. 33 is a top view of a plurality of slats of the conveyor beltassembly of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a side view of a slat of a fifteenth embodiment of a conveyorbelt assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of thedisclosure.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a plurality of slats of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36A is a perspective view of a sixteenth embodiment of a conveyorbelt assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of thedisclosure.

FIG. 36B is a side view of a slat of the conveyor belt assembly of FIG.36A.

FIG. 37A is a top view of two slats of a seventeenth embodiment of aconveyor belt assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 37B is a side view of one slat of the slats of FIG. 37A.

FIG. 38A is a perspective view of an eighteenth embodiment of a conveyorbelt assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of thedisclosure.

FIG. 38B is a partial side view of the conveyor belt assembly of FIG.38A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A conveyor belt 10 comprises a plurality of slats 12 connected to a sidecarrier 14 that together form a continuous, conveyor belt surface. Eachslat 12 includes a base 16 for carrying an item, the base 16 having afirst and a second opposing end 18, 20 that are substantially parallelto the direction of conveyance travel T of the conveyor belt 10. Eachslat 12 is coupled to at least one side carrier 14 at one of the firstand the second opposing ends 18, 20 of the slat 12.

Cable

The first group of embodiments includes at least one cable as the sidecarrier 14 that is connected to a plurality of slats 12 to form acontinuous conveyor belt 10. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality ofslats 12 are connected to a first cable 14 a and a second cable 14 b atfirst and second opposing ends 18, 20 of the slat 12. In anotherembodiment, the plurality of slats 12 may be connected to a third cable14 c that runs along the length of a conveyor belt loop 22 and connectsto the slats 12 at a central location on a bottom surface 32 of a base16 of each slat 12. The cables 14 a, 14 b, 14 c rotate about theconveyor belt loop 22 and are driven by a driving mechanism 24, such asa roller or a sprocket.

In the first embodiment, the first and second opposing ends 18, 20 of aslat 12 couple to first and second cables 14 a, 14 b respectively. FIG.1 illustrates a perspective view of a conveyor belt assembly 11 with afirst, second, and third cables 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and a plurality ofslats 12 connected to the first, second, and third cables 14 a, 14 b, 14c. Each slat 12 has the base 16 with the first opposing end 18 and thesecond opposing end 20, the first and second opposing ends 18, 20connect to the first and second cables respectively 14 a, 14 b. FIG. 2Ais a top view of one slat 12 of the plurality of slats 12 of theconveyor belt 10 in FIG. 1. A locking or clamp mechanism 26 extends fromeach of the opposing ends 18, 20 of the base 16 to connect to the firstand second cables 14 a, 14 b. For example, and as best illustrated inFIG. 2B, the slats 12 connect to the cable 14 a, 14 b via the clampmechanism 26 in the shape of a hook 28 on the first and second opposingends 18, 20. In this example, the hooks 28 allow a user to clip theslats 12 onto the first and second cables 14 a, 14 b and slide the slat12 into a desired position. In another example, the hook may beconfigured to clamp onto the cable and lock in place. A guide member 30is formed in a bottom surface 32 of the base 16 of the slat 12, theguide member 30 aligns with the third cable 14 c of the conveyor beltassembly 11. The guide member 30 includes at least one projecting tab 33that is configured to slidably couple to the third cable 14 c. The guidemember 30 ensures that each slat 12 is aligned with the plurality ofslats 12 of the conveyor belt 10 and travels in a directionperpendicular to the direction of conveyance travel T of the conveyorbelt 10.

In a different embodiment of a conveyor belt 110, illustrated in FIG. 3,a side carrier 114 traverses through at least one of a first and secondopposing ends 118, 120 of the plurality of slats 112. FIG. 3 illustratesa partial view of a conveyor belt 110 with multiple slats 112 coupled toa first cable 114 a and to a second cable 114 b. Each slat 112 has abase 116 with a first opposing end 118 coupled to the first cable 114 aand a second opposing end 120 coupled to the second cable 114 b. Thefirst and second cables 114 a, 114 b couple to the first and second ends118, 120 of each slat 112 by weaving through an aperture 134 formed inthe first and second ends 118, 120 of the slat 112. The term “weaving”is merely illustrative and is used herein to describe how the cable 114or side carrier 114 traverses through the aperture 134 of the slat 112from a bottom surface 132 of the slat 112, crosses over a top surface136 of the slat 112, and dips under an adjacent slat 113 beforetraversing through an aperture 134 of the adjacent slat 113. Weaving ismerely describing how a carrier mechanism 114 connects multiple slats112 of a conveyor belt 110 together and it is not meant to be limited tothe illustration in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an embodiment of a conveyor belt 210 having afirst and a second cable 214 a, 214 b that traverse through a bore 234formed in a first end 218 and a bore formed in a second end 220 of aslat 212. The perspective view of the slat 212 and cables 214 a, 214 bin FIG.4A illustrates how the bore 234 is formed in a width w of theslat 212 and runs through a height h of the slat 212 at both the firstand second ends 218, 220 of the slat 212. The bore 234 forms first andsecond openings 235 at front and back side surfaces 238 of the slat 212.Although FIG. 4A illustrates a slight clearance about the first andsecond cables 214 a, 214 b in the opening 235, the bore 234 is wideenough for the cables 214 a, 214 b to pass through, but sized so thatonce the slat 212 is attached to the cables 214 a, 214 b the slat 212does not slide out of position. In this example, the cables 214 a, 214 bprovide the driving means for the slats 212 and the slats 212 rotateabout a conveyor belt loop (not shown) as the cables 214 a, 214 b rotateabout the conveyor belt loop. In another example, the cables 214 a, 214b remain stationary and the slats 212 are driven about a loop by adriving mechanism 232, such as a sprocket, and the slats 212 are free toslide on the cables 214 a, 214 b as the slats 212 move. FIG. 4Billustrates a top view of a first slat 212 a, a second slat 212 b, and athird slat 212 c connected by the first cable 214 a and the second cable214 b running through the width w of each slat 212 of the first andsecond ends 218, 220.

FIG. 5 similarly illustrates first and a second side carriers 314 a, 314b traversing through first and second ends 318, 320 of a plurality ofslats 312. Each slat 312 has a base 316 having a first opposing end 318and a second opposing end 320. In each opposing end 318, 320, first andsecond apertures 334 are formed and extend through a width w of the slat312. The first and second cables 314 a, 314 b weave through the firstand second apertures 334 at each opposing end 318, 320 of the slat 312to connect multiple slats 312 to form a conveyor belt 310. FIG. 6illustrates a side view of a first slat 312 and a second slat 313 woventogether by a cable 314 a. Beginning at the right side of FIG. 6, thecable 314 a traverses through a first aperture 334 a a distance of awidth w of the first slat 312 from a top surface 344, crosses a bottomsurface 332 of the first slat 312, traverses through a second aperture334 b a distance of the width w of the first slat 312, crosses over agap g located in between the first and second slats 312, 313 andtraverses through a first aperture 334 c in the second slat 313. Thecable 314 creates a bridge 335 as it crosses over the gap g between thefirst and second slats 312, 313. FIG. 6 illustrates the gap g, however,the gap g may be minimized by tightening the cable 314 and therebypulling the slats 312, 113 closer together. FIGS. 5-6 illustrate aconveyor belt 310 including cables 314, however, the slats 312 may bewoven together using a spring or a linking mechanism that serves to linkthe adjacent slats together by weaving in and out of the apertures.

Turning now to FIG. 7A, a first and a second slat 412, 413 are adjacentand connected by first, second, and third cables 414 a, 414 b, 414 c.Each slat 412 provides a coupling mechanism 426 in the shape of aknuckle 427, or a portion of a base 416 of the slat 412 that overlapswith a portion of the cable 414. Each slat 412 may have a knuckle 427formed within the base 416 of the slat 412 at a first opposing end 418,a second opposing end 420, and in the center of the slat 412. Bestillustrated in the front view of the slat 412 in FIG. 7B, the knuckle427 is a part of the base 416 of the slat 412 and extends in a U-shapedloop from a bottom surface 432 of the slat 412. Each knuckle 427 formsthe U-shaped loop in the bottom surface 432 of the base 416 of the slat412 so that each cable 414 runs adjacent the bottom surface 432 of theslat 412 until the cable traverses the knuckle 427, whereby a portion ofthe cable is exposed at a top surface 444 of the slat 412.

The cable may be made of a variety of materials including a wovenfabric, a polymer, or a metal wire. The material of the cable depends onthe specification of the toaster and conveyor belt, including speed andtemperature requirements. The cable may also be a spring or aspring-like wire.

Timing Belt

The second group of embodiments includes at least one belt, a timingbelt, flat belt, or otherwise, as the carrier means 514 that isconnected to a plurality of slats 512 to form a conveyor belt 510. Atypical belt 514 may be driven by a number of different drivingmechanisms 532, such as a roller, a pulley, or a sprocket, etc. Thisgroup of embodiments is illustrated with either a regular belt or aconventional timing belt as they can be used interchangeably. Aconventional timing belt, for example, has an outer surface thatinteracts with a slat for carrying an object, and an inner surface thatprovides corrugations or teeth that mate with a plurality of furrows ofa sprocket. The belt 514 may be made of rubber with high-tensile fibersrunning the length of the belt 514. Others may be made of a hightemperature resistant material such as highly saturated nirile. Otherbelts may be made of steel, polymer, or woven fabric.

In the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 of the second group, aconveyor belt 510 comprises a plurality of slats 512 attached to firstand second belts 514 a, 514 b. Each slat 512 includes a base 516 forcarrying an item, the base 516 includes a top surface 544, a firstopposing end 518, a second opposing end 520, a leading edge 519, and atrailing edge 521. The first and second opposing ends 518, 520 aresubstantially parallel to the direction of conveyance travel T of theconveyor belt 510, and the leading edge 519 and trailing edge 521 aresubstantially perpendicular to the direction of conveyance travel T ofthe conveyor belt 510. The leading edge 519 is the first edge of theleading and trailing edges 519, 520 to rotate about a conveyor belt loop511. In FIG. 8, the first and the second opposing ends 518, 520 includeat least one of a female part 548 and a male part 550 adapted to coupleto the at least one side carrier 514 having the other of the female part548 and the male part 550. In the illustrated example, each slat 512comprises a first tab 552 formed in a bottom surface 532 of the slat 512and projecting from the leading edge 519 at the first opposing end 518of the slat 512. A second tab 552 is formed in the bottom surface 532 ofthe slat 512 and projects from the leading edge 519 at the secondopposing end 520 of the slat 512. A hook 553 or clip is formed on distalend of each tab 552 and is configured to clip on to the female part 548formed in the first and second belts 514 a, 514 b.

The female and male parts 548, 550 that couple the slats 512 to thebelts 514 may take a variety of forms. In the illustrated embodiment,the male part 550 is a tab 552 and a hook 553 and the female part 548 isa rectangular opening formed in each belt 514 and sized to receive thehook 553 of the slat 512. FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the slat 512with the first and second tabs 352 located at the first and secondopposing ends 518, 520 of the slat 512 and formed in the leading edge519 of the slat 512. FIG. 10 best illustrates the hook 553 formed at thedistal end of each tab 552 that is configured to hook onto an opening548 the in belts 514. More specifically, the hook 553 projects from thebottom surface 532 of the slat 512 at the first end 518. Alternatively,the male part 550 may be a key and the female part 548 may be a key slotwhere the male part 550 can slip into the female part 548 and shift sothat the male part 550 and the female part are locked together.

In another embodiment, the plurality of slats may be shaped to reducethe gaps between the slats 512. Instead of providing straight edges atthe leading edge 519 and trailing edge 521 as illustrated in FIG. 8, anembodiment may provide a slat 512 having a leading edge 519 that mateswith a trailing edge 521 of an adjacent slat 512. For example, a matingfeature could be a first and second mating jigsaw surfaces.

Turing now to FIGS. 11-13, a conveyor belt 610 includes first and secondbelts 614 a, 614 b attached to a plurality of slats 612. Each slat 612has a base 616 for carrying an item, first and second opposing ends 618,620 that attach to the first and second belts 614 a, 614 b respectively.A male part 650 projects from a bottom surface 632 of the base 616 ofthe slat 612 in the form of a plurality of pegs 651, wherein each peg651 is configured to mate with a female part 648 formed in the first andsecond belts 614 a, 614 b. The female part 648 formed in an outsidesurface 640 of the first and second belts 614 a, 614 b comprise aplurality of apertures 649 sized to receive the plurality of pegs 651formed in the first and second ends 618, 620 of the slats 612. FIG. 12is a magnified side view of a plurality of slats 612 coupled to thefirst belt 614 a, a timing belt, at the first end 618 of the slats 612.Each slat 612 couples to the timing belt 614 a by mating the pegs 651 ofthe slat 612 to the apertures 649 of the belt 614 a. FIG. 13 is a sideview of the timing belt 614 a coupled to a plurality of slats 612 anddriven by a first and second sprocket 632 at first and second loops 622of the conveyor belt 610. A plurality of teeth 645 formed on an insidesurface 642 of the timing belt 614 a is engaged by a plurality offurrows 646 of the first and second sprocket 632.

Turning now to FIGS. 14-16, a conveyor belt assembly 711 comprises aplurality of slats 712 coupled to at least one timing belt 714. Thisembodiment is similar to the previously described embodiment, however, amale part 750 of this embodiment is formed in a top surface 740 of thetiming belt 714 and a female part 748 is formed in first and secondopposing ends 718, 720 of the slats 712. The male part 750 comprises aplurality of pegs 751 extending vertically from the top surface 740 ofthe conveyor belt 714. The first and second opposing ends 718, 720 ofthe slat 712 provide corresponding apertures 749 that are sized toreceive the pegs 751 of the belt 714. FIG. 15 illustrates a perspectiveview of the conveyor belt 710 including first, second, and third slats712 a, 712 b, 712 c coupled to first and second belts 714 a, 714 b. Thisembodiment allows a user to customize the conveyor belt by placing theslats 712 on the conveyor belt 710 at a preferred location. For example,the first and second slats 712 a, 712 b are spaced apart by a row 752 ofpegs 751 formed in the belt 714 a. FIG. 16 is a side view of the first,second, and third slats 712 a, 712 b, 712 c coupled to the belt 714without a row of pegs separating the slats 712. Alternatively, the slats712 may be spaced further apart so that a different slat 712 (not shown)having the same female part 748 in the first and second opposing ends718, 720 may fit between the other slats 712.

FIGS.17-18 illustrate a conveyor belt assembly 811 having a plurality ofslats 812 attached to first and second belts 814 a, 814 b. The first andsecond belts 814 a, 814 b are disposed on an interior 856 of first and asecond opposing ends 818, 820 of the plurality of slats 812 such thatthe plurality of slats 812 partially overlap the first and second belts814 a, 814 b. In other words, each opposing end 818, 820 of the slats812 extend beyond an outer edge 858 of each belt 814, and wrap aroundthe belt 814 so that the slat 812 crimps the belt 814 at outside andinside surfaces 840, 842 of the belt 810.

FIG. 18A illustrates a side view of a slat 812 crimped to a firstconveyor belt 814 a at the first end 818 of the slat 812. A top surface844 of the first opposing end 818 the slat 812 curves around the outeredge 858 of the belt 814 a to form a loop 860. FIG. 18B illustrates across-sectional view of the belt 814 sandwiched between the top surface844 of a base 816 of the slat 8 12 and a distal end 862 of the slat.FIG. 18C illustrates a front view of the first end 818 of the slat 812and how the top surface 844 of the base 816 folds around the outer edge858 of the belt 814 and forms the loop 860 around the belt 814. Thedistal end 862 of the slat 812 mates with a bottom surface 832 of thebase 816 of the slat 812.

FIGS. 19-20 illustrate another embodiment of a conveyor belt 910comprising a plurality of slats 912 attached to a side carrier means 914a, 914 b, 915 a, 915 b. More specifically, FIG. 19 is perspective viewof conveyor belt assembly 911 where the slats 912 are crimped in placeby the carrier means 914 a, 914 b, 915 a, 915 b. The conveyor beltassembly 911 includes a first top belt 914 a and a first bottom belt 915a attached to a first opposing end 918 of each slat 912 and a second topbelt 914 b and a second bottom belt 915 b attached to a second opposingend 920 of each slat 912. The top and bottom belts 914, 915 are paralleland spaced apart by a width w of each slat 912. Best illustrated in FIG.20, the first top belt 914 a attaches to a top surface 944 of the firstopposing ends 918 of the slats 912. The first bottom belt 915 a attachesto a bottom surface 932 of the first opposing ends 918 of the slats 912.The top and bottom belts 914 a, 914 b, 915 a, 915 b effectively sandwichthe slats 912 in place.

Timing Chain Carrier

As illustrated in FIGS. 21-23, a third group of embodiments includes aplurality of links 1080 coupled to a plurality of slats 1012 wherein thelinks 1080 are carried by side carrier means 1014 to form a conveyorbelt 1010. The side carrier means 1014 may be a belt or a cable, but thefollowing embodiments are coupled to a timing chain, as illustrated inFIG. 21. A timing chain 1014 comprises multiple interlocking links 1084that may be engaged by or driven by a sprocket or gear 1032. Aconventional timing chain 1017 is a bicycle chain and a portion of whichis illustrated in FIG. 22, and a timing chain with flanges isillustrated in FIGS. 23A-23B . A slat 1012 comprises a base 1016 forcarrying an item, the base 1016 including first and second opposing ends1018, 1020. The first and second opposing ends 1018, 1020 couple tofirst and second side carriers 1014 a, 1014 b via a tab or link 1080.For example, FIG. 23A illustrates first and second slats 1012 a, 1012 battached to a timing chain 1014 via a flange 1082. The flange 1082, orlink 1080 in this case, is carried by the timing belt 1014 and isconfigured to couple to the first opposing end 1018 of each slat 1012. Asecond timing chain 1014 b likewise having a plurality of flanges 1082,couples to the second opposing end 1020 of each slat 1012. FIG. 23B alsoillustrates how the first end 1018 of the slat 1012 couples to thetiming chain 1014 via the flange 1082.

In a preferred embodiment, a link 1180 is not a flange, but a U-bar 1184that couples a first slat 1112 a to a second, adjacent slat 1112 b, asillustrated in FIGS. 24-27. FIG. 24 is a top view of the first slat 1112a and the second slat 1112 b attached together by a link 1180 in theform of a U-shaped bar 1184. The U-shaped bar 1184 extends from a firstend 1118 of the first and second slats 1112 a, 1112 b and couples toeach slat 1112 by traversing through a knuckle 1188 formed in a base1116 of each slat 1112. At a second end 1120 of the first and secondslats 1112 a, 1112 b, an arm 1190 of a second U-bar 1184 is coupled tothe first slat 1112 a, and a third U-bar 1184 is coupled to the secondslat 1112 b. The U-bar 1184 coupled at the first end 1118 of the firstand second slats 1112 a, 1112 b couples the adjacent slats 1112 and alsoprovides a link 1180 that may be carried by a side carrier. The knuckles1188 formed in a base 1116 of the first and second slat 1112 a, 1112 bare best illustrated in the A-A cross-sectional view of FIG. 25. Thefirst slat 1112 a has the knuckle 1188, or a cut-out, that extends froma bottom surface 1132 of the base 1116. The arm 1190 of the U-shaped bar1184 slides through the knuckle 1188 and a part of the arm 1190 isexposed at the knuckle 1188. FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate a partial viewof the conveyor belt 1110 comprising U-bar links 1180 and a plurality ofslats 1112 having knuckles 1188. The belt 1110 has a first U-bar 1184which connects adjacent slats 1112 at the first opposing end 1118, and asecond U-bar 1184 which connects adjacent slats 1112 at the secondopposing end 1120. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the partial conveyorbelt loop 1122 and best illustrates the U-shaped bars 1184 traversingthrough a plurality of knuckles 1188 formed in the base 1116 of eachslat 1112. While the carrier means 1114 is not illustrated in thisfigure, an end 1192 of the U-bar 1184 may be coupled to a timing chain1114.

FIGS. 28-31 illustrate an embodiment of a different link 1280 thatoperatively couples a belt 1214 with a plurality of slats 1212 a, 1212b. FIG. 28 is a top view of a first slat 1212 a and a second slat 1212 bcoupled to a link 1280. The first slat 1212 a, which is partiallyillustrated, includes two pegs 1252 extending from a first opposing end1218. The link 1280 includes a first and a second groove 1292 thatreceives the two pegs 1252. The link 1280 is best illustrated in FIG. 29which depicts an exploded view of the first and second slats 1212 a,1212 b with corresponding first and second links 1280. Each link 1280comprises at least two grooves 1292 that are sized to receive the twopegs 1252 of the slat 1212. FIG. 30 illustrates an exploded side view ofthe first slat 1212 a and the first link 1280, the pegs 1252 aremeasured to mate with the grooves 1292 of the link 1280. FIG. 31 is aside view of the conveyor belt 1210 having a plurality of links 1280 anda plurality of slats 1212 coupled to the links 1280. Once the slat 1212mates with the link 1280, a top surface 1240 of the link 1280 and a topsurface 1244 of the slat 1212 form a substantially flat surface. Inanother embodiment, not illustrated here, one peg or more than two pegsmay project from the first and second opposing ends of slat to mate witha link having one groove or more than two grooves accordingly.

A conveyor belt assembly in FIGS. 32-33 comprises first and second belts1314 a, 1314 b coupled to a plurality of slats 1312 via a plurality oflinks 1380. In this case, the link 1380 comprises a female part 1348 toreceive a male part 1350 of the slat 1312. FIG. 33 illustrates apartially coupled first and second slats 1312 a, 1312 b. Each slat 1312includes a base 1316, the base 1316 having first and second opposingends 1318, 1320 that couple to the links 1380 carried by the belts 1314a, 1314 b. The first end 1318 of the slat 1312 is coupled to the link1380, the second end 1320 of the slat is not yet coupled to a link 1380in order to illustrate the male part 1350 of the slat 1312. Rather thana plurality of pegs, the slat 1312 includes a hook 1350 that extendsfrom the first and second opposing ends 1318, 1320, the hook 1350 isconfigured to hook onto a female part 1348 of the link 1380.

FIGS. 34-35 illustrate a different embodiment of a slat 1412 having afirst opposing end 1418 that forms a T-shaped knob 1450 extendingvertically from a bottom surface 1432 of a base 1416. The T-shaped knob1450 is coupled to a link 1480 having a channel 1448 adapted to receivethe T-shaped knob 1450 at a first opening 1496, but prevents theT-shaped knob 1450 from moving vertically by a top barrier 1494. Morespecifically, the first end 1418 of the slat 1412 provides an arm 1452that is substantially surrounded by first and second top barriers 1494of the link 1480. The first and second top barriers 1494 of the channel1448 guide the arm 1452 of the slat 1412 and thereby prevent the knob1450 from uncoupling from the link 1480. A perspective view of a firstend 1418 of the slat 1412 is depicted in FIG. 35 where the first end1418 of the slat 1412 is coupled to the link 1480. FIG. 35 bestillustrates how the opening 1496 of the link 1480 provides a largeclearance so that the T-shaped knob 1450 may slide into the channel 1448and couple to the link 1480. The link 1480 and the knob 1450 are engagedwhen the slat 1412 cannot disengage the link 1480 without sliding theknob 1450 horizontally out of the channel 1448 of the link 1480. TheT-shaped knob 1450 depicted in FIGS. 34 and 35 may be of another shapehaving a similar structure. In another embodiment, the slats 1412 may beattached to a channel-like structure 1448 similar to the channel 1448 ofthe links 1480 except that the channel forms a complete conveyor beltloop. A completely conveyor belt loop in the form of a channel may beformed from a one-piece channel having two ends that are welded togetheronce the slats are coupled to the channel. Alternatively, the T-shapedknob 1450 may be able to bend or snap into the channel through the topbarriers 1494 and couple to the side carrier 1414 thereafter.

Materials, Dividing Features, Etc.

The conveyor belt slats described herein can be manufactured from anysuitable material, but is preferably formed from an extrudable materialincluding, but not limited to, extrudable metals, extrudable polymers,and extrudable ceramics. Exemplary extrudable metals include, but arenot limited to, aluminum, brass, copper, magnesium, and steel. Aluminumalloys such as hard coated anodized aluminum, for example AA 6063-T6,are preferred. Exemplary extrudable plastics include, but are notlimited to, polyvinylchlorides, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, acetals,acrylics, nylons (polyamides), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadienestyrenes, and polycarbonates. Additionally, the slats may bemanufactured using a hybrid of materials including metals and rubbers.

The conveyor belt described and illustrated herein provides a surface ofthe slats that is generally smooth. The top surface may, however, becorrugated or textured to better grip an item over a distance of theconveyor belt loop. For example, the top surface of an alternativeconveyor belt slat may include gripping features to retain an item whilethe item is transported to facilitate the frictional engagement of thefood product. The gripping features allow the top surface to grip on toany kind of surface the item may have, for example, a round or verysmooth item that can easily move or slide while being transported. Theroughness of the surface of the slats in one embodiment may be providedby shot peening the surfaces of the slats using a predetermined shotsize, as is disclosed in U.S. Application Publication No. US2010/0275789 A1, which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Alternatively, the surface of the slat may have grippingfeatures such as an abrasive coating, dimples, furrows, or protrusionsthat would be strong enough to grip the food product, but not soabrasive that the gripping features rip, tear, or mark the food product.Other features that improved surface traction include, but are notlimited to, perforations, bosses or dimples, etching, sanding/grinding,or other gripping features that are formed or molded. The grippingfeatures may be integrally formed on the top surface of the conveyorbelt slat and take the shape of a series of parallel rows of sharpridges and furrows. Of course, similar features can be addedpost-manufacturing and/or take other geometrical shapes to enhancefriction between the top surface and the item to be conveyed.Alternatively, instead of a series of rows of ridges, the grippingfeatures may be provided by a grid of textured pegs. A variety of othergeometric shapes can also be used provided that the gripping featuresenhance friction between the top surface and the item to be conveyed.

Turning to FIGS. 36-38, a conveyor belt 1510 may comprise a plurality ofany one of the slats 1512 described herein with a divider 1570 structurewhich separates or divides food products on the conveyor belt 1510. Afirst example of a dividing structure 1570 is illustrated in theconveyor belt of FIGS. 36A and 36B. Turning first to FIG. 36A, a firstslat 1512 has a barrier wall 1570 that extends vertically at apredetermined location from a base portion 1516 of the slat 1512 todivide the base portion 1516 of the slat 1512 into compartments. FIG.36A illustrates a perspective view of the plurality of slats 1512including a plurality of dividers 1570 that extend laterally and arethat parallel relative to the conveyance travel T of the conveyor belt.In this illustrated example, every other slat 1512 has a barrier wall1570 projecting from the base 1516 of the slat 1512. FIG. 36Billustrates a side view of the slat 1512 having the barrier wall 1570splitting the slat 1512. The divider in FIG. 37A extends from the base1616 of the slat 1612 longitudinally, in a direction perpendicular tothe direction of conveyance travel T of the conveyor belt 1610. FIG. 37Billustrates a side view of the slat 1612 with the divider 1670 extendingfrom the base 1616. In a different example, adjacent first and secondslats 1712 a, 1712 b illustrated in FIGS. 38A and 38B together form adivider 1770. The first slat 1712 a has a ramp feature 1772 extendingvertically from a base 1716 of the slat 1712 a where a highest point ofthe ramp feature 1770 terminates at a trailing edge 1721 of the firstslat 1712 a. The second slat 1712 b has a ramp feature 1774 extendingvertically from a base 1716 where a highest point of the ramp feature1770 terminates at a leading edge 1719 of the second slat 1712 b. Thefirst and second slats 1712 a, 1712 b mate and thus the ramp feature1770 of the first slat 1712 a and the ramp feature 1770 of the secondslat 1712 b form a peak. However, this is merely illustrative, and thedividers or barrier walls may project from every other slat or every twoslats, and so on. The peak 1770, or dividing structure, may serve toindex food product conveyed by the conveyor belt. For example, thedividing features may prevent overloading the conveyor belt, or it maybe used to index the amount of food product.

Referring back to FIGS. 13, the conveyor belt assembly 611 has asprocket 632 that drives the conveyor belt 610 of the slats 612described herein. The sprocket 632 has a plurality of teeth 643 and aplurality of furrows 646 between the teeth 643. To drive the conveyorbelt 610, the sprocket 632 engages the teeth 645 projecting from aninside surface 642 of the timing belt 614 a and drives the conveyor belt610 into rotational and translational motion about the conveyor beltloop 622. The sprocket 632 rotates the conveyor belt 610, for example,when the teeth 643 engage the timing belt 614 a which carries theconveyor belt slats 612. In other examples, rollers may be used to gripthe belts and rotate the conveyor belt around a conveyor belt loop.

In one embodiment, devices comprising the conveyor belt assemblyaccording to the disclosure advantageously transport one or more foodproducts in a direction, e.g. horizontally or vertically downward alonga heated platen so as to expose the food products to the energyradiating from the platen. Any of the embodiments disclosed herein maybe part of a conveyor belt assembly that can be used in many foodheating devices, such as toasters, that require one or more conveyorbelt assemblies. For example, the conveyor belt assembly can beimplemented in a vertically oriented food heating device. A verticalfood heating device employs two conveyor belt assemblies as is shown forexample in U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0275789, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. A horizontal food heating device is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,800,023, which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

Alternatively, the conveyor belt assembly comprising one of the manyembodiments of the conveyor belt slat may incorporate heat in one ormore different ways. The conventional way of heating a food product in aconveyor toaster would be through heated platens, as mentioned above.The conveyor belt assembly described herein may incorporate heatingmechanisms to cook or otherwise heat the food being conveyed byimplementing a heated slat. In the case of a heated slat, the food beingconveyed by the conveyor belt would be treated with heat emanating fromthe slat itself. The heated slat may emit heat by absorbing heat fromexposure from a heat lamp, or the slat may be connected to a powersource and use resistive heating to provide heat directly. Additionally,the conveyor belt assembly may incorporate heat through induction, forexample, by winding an electromagnet such as iron wire around the topsurface of the conveyor belt assembly and passing a high-frequencyalternating current (AC) through the electromagnet.

1. A conveyor belt, the conveyor belt comprising: a plurality of slats,at least one slat having a base for carrying an item, the base having afirst opposing end and a second opposing end, the first opposing end andthe second opposing end being substantially parallel to the direction ofconveyance travel of the conveyor belt; at least one side carriercoupled to at least one of the first and the second opposing ends of theat least one slat by a coupling mechanism.
 2. The conveyor belt of claim1, further comprising at least one central carrier.
 3. The conveyor beltof claim 2, wherein the slat further includes a guide member and the atleast one central carrier cooperates with the guide member. 4.(canceled)
 5. The conveyor belt of claim 1, wherein the at least oneside carrier comprises a timing belt.
 6. The conveyor belt of claim 1,wherein the at least one side carrier is connected to at least one ofthe first and the second opposing ends of the plurality of slats suchthat the plurality of slats partially overlap the at least one sidecarrier.
 7. The conveyor belt of claim 1, wherein the at least one sidecarrier traverses through the at least one of the first and the secondopposing ends.
 8. The conveyor belt of claim 7, wherein the at least oneside carrier is woven through the at least one of the first and secondopposing ends.
 9. The conveyor belt of claim 8, wherein the at least oneside carrier extends through a first slat from a top surface to a bottomsurface, across the bottom surface, and through the first slat from thebottom surface to the top surface.
 10. The conveyor belt of claim 9,wherein the cable forms a bridge over a gap between two adjacent slats.11. The conveyor belt of claim 1, wherein both the first opposing endand the second opposing end of the at least one slat are coupled to theat least one side carrier by the coupling mechanism. 12-16. (canceled)17. The conveyor belt of claim 1, wherein the at least one side carrieris a cable that is disposed at least partially within a bore in a firstslat, the bore being formed in a width of the first slat and runningalong a height of the first slat.
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. Theconveyor belt of claim 1, wherein the at least one side carriercomprises a chain having at least one flange, wherein the plurality ofslats couple to the at least one flange.
 21. The conveyor belt of claim1, wherein the at least one slat includes at least one of a female partand a male part adapted to couple to the at least slat to the at leastone side carrier. 22-32. (canceled)
 33. The conveyor belt of claim 1,wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a loop formed in one of thefirst opposing end and the second opposing end of the at least one slat.34. (canceled)
 35. The conveyor belt of claim 1, wherein the at leastone side carrier includes a top belt and a bottom belt, which are eachattached to the at least one slat at one of the first opposing end andthe second opposing end.
 36. The conveyor belt of claim 1, wherein theat least one side carrier comprises a timing chain. 37-42. (canceled)43. The conveyor belt of claim 1, further comprising a divider structuredisposed on the base. 44-49. (canceled)
 50. A conveyor belt, theconveyor belt comprising: a plurality of slats, at least one slat havinga base for carrying an item, the base having a first opposing end and asecond opposing end, the first opposing end and the second opposing endbeing substantially parallel to the direction of conveyance travel ofthe conveyor belt; at least one side cable coupled to at least one ofthe first and the second opposing ends of the at least one slat by acoupling mechanism.
 51. (canceled)
 52. A conveyor belt, the conveyorbelt comprising: a plurality of slats, at least one slat having a basefor carrying an item, the base having a first opposing end and a secondopposing end, the first opposing end and the second opposing end beingsubstantially parallel to the direction of conveyance travel of theconveyor belt; at least one side timing chain coupled to at least one ofthe first and the second opposing ends of the at least one slat by acoupling mechanism.